Team Profile

MB MOTORSPORTS WINNING PEDIGREE

MB Motorsports is one of the original teams from the inaugural year of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 1995. Their first race was run at the Milwaukee Mile that year with the late Tony Roper, who piloted the Mike Mittler-owned Ford on several occasions throughout the years. MB Motorsports has earned a respected reputation for launching the careers of talented, new drivers into NASCAR racing, such as:

• 1998 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year, Kenny Irwin
• 2003 Craftsman Truck Series Rookie of the Year, Carl Edwards
• 2003 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year, Jamie McMurray
• 2008 ARCA Champion, Justin Allgaier

Other past MB Motorsports drivers include:

• Current Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series driver, Mike Wallace

• Current Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series drivers, Regan Smith & Brad Keselowski

• Third-generation driver, Ronnie Hornaday III

Mike Mittler - Team Owner

Hanging behind his desk is a large frame containing a color photo of a bright yellow and red Pontiac Firebird with the name “Rusty Wallace” painted over the driver’s door.  Next to that, a plaque hangs bearing the words:

1983 ASA Silver Creek Racing Series
Crew Member - National ASA Champion
Mike Mittler

Both are cherished possessions of MB Motorsports owner, Mike Mittler.

Racing has been a big part of Mittler’s life for a quarter of a century.  “I’ve always loved racing and got involved in 1968,” he said.  “Through local races I got to know the Wallace family.  I worked on the crew that helped Rusty Wallace become the USAC stock car Rookie of the Year and 1983 ASA Champion.  We ran some NASCAR Busch races and did a few Winston (now Nextel) Cup events as well.  When Rusty moved south, I started helping Kenny Wallace and was with him when he was crowned the 1986 ASA Rookie of the Year.”

During his early years in racing, Mike worked at Fran’s Chassis Engineering in St. Louis.  “We built drag race cars from pro stocks to top fuel and funny cars,” he explained.  Mike, along with brother, Paul, founded Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool Company in 1980.  It was a gamble, but Mike Mittler’s life has always revolved around building things.  “I like the challenge and satisfaction of putting things together, and reaching a goal.”  Whether it’s building a racecar or a business, Mittler enjoys the process of seeing dreams come true.

Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool now employs 60 highly-skilled machinists and support personnel in Wright City, Missouri (40 miles west of St. Louis).  The plant includes the latest computer controlled design and machining equipment.  Products, including auto racing tools and performance components, are sold in Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Australia.  Many of the most successful names in auto racing today use the Mittler Brothers products on a daily basis.

The company took the next step in racing by starting its own team.  In 1995, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series…and MB Motorsports…was created.  Over the twelve years, MB Motorsports has gained the reputation for bringing young and talented drivers into NASCAR racing.  Several notable drivers who went on to successful Busch Grand National and Nextel Cup careers got their first NASCAR ride in an MB Motorsports Truck. This notable list includes the late Kenny Irwin Jr., 1998 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year; the late Tony Roper; 2003 Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year, Jamie McMurray; and 2003 NCTS Rookie of the Year, Carl Edwards.  

Mittler and MB Motorsports continue to build a winning team.  With several seasons under his belt, Mike has shifted his focus to marketing.  He explains, “We have proven our ability to compete, and we continue to develop and gel as a team.  With the stability of our team, we can confidently offer companies great partnership opportunities.

“Our corporate marketing partnership program has worked very well over the years,” Mittler continued.  “We have been successful in providing value to our marketing partners, which along with meeting our team goals, has resulted in both parties achieving their objectives.  Each organization has prospered due to our association and we look forward to working with our marketing partners as we race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2007.”

Mike added, “We recognize the need for funding to ensure both ours and our partners’ success.  Our immediate goal is to move forward in partnership with our marketing programs and hopefully run a full schedule in 2007.  With the experience of our team and the talents of our driver, Scott Lynch, we can provide tremendous value to our marketing partners, with activities both on and off the track.  Our ultimate goal is to grow MB Motorsports into a NASCAR Nextel Cup team.  We believe that is a realistic progression from the foundation we have already laid.”

Personal Information:

Birth Date:                 October 6, 1951

Place:                          St. Louis, Missouri

Marital Status:          Married - Beverly
Residence:                  St. Peters, Missouri
Occupation:               President & General Manager,
Mittler Bros. Machine & Tool Company